Not In The Name Of My Faith

Our world is filled with an all too familiar blanket of sadness, of heartbreak for people we never met but whose tragic demise has touched our hearts as we consume the news surrounding their passing. Social media is filled with a sense of outrage, of anger, of sadness and helplessness. No matter how many articles or images of support we share online, it can never bring back the lives that were innocently lost.

The sadness at the attacks in Paris is being compared to the attack in Beirut one day earlier. The news coverage of both events is being compared; contrasted. Facebook has enabled its users to temporarily or permanently change the colours of their profile pictures into blue, white and red in solidarity with those mourning in Paris. Many questions arise as to why this was not done with other atrocities and crimes committed elsewhere in the world.

As a Canadian Muslim woman my grief has been questioned. I have been asked why I am mourning the loss of these victims when it was alleged members of my own faith group perpetrated these heinous crimes. I was also asked what makes my Islam more right than THEIR Islam (that of the alleged perpetrators). The truth is that I share the same views as the vast majority of the world's 1.2 billion Muslims.

I sat silent for too long; allowing others to speak for me, for Muslims, for a faith and belief system I hold too close. One that I know to be rooted in peace, in sacrifice and in charity. A vision shared by millions around the world. Millions who shudder at the thought of their faith being hijacked by the select few who choose to pervert it into a vehicle of propaganda, hate and violence.

It's become commonplace to spread hate speech about Muslims, to make up stories of our beliefs and practices, all in the guise of free speech. While we all share a sense of anger, sadness and disbelief that such a large scale coordinated attack took place in one of the main metropolises of the Western world, we should all be allowed the freedom to mourn.

Moments after the attacks took place, many took to social media to spread hate speech, fling accusations and blame the migrants for the attacks. The truth is, it is not a people but an ideology of hatred that needs to be combatted. An ideology rooted in ghettoization, isolation and marginalization.

The actions of these cowardly individuals do not represent Islam any more than the actions of the Westboro Baptist Church represent Christianity. Innocent lives have been taken in a horrendous manner. Mothers and fathers, sisters and brothers awoke to the realization that their loved ones are no more. They are aching and grieving and our thoughts need to be with those people right now.

Humanity shares in the sense of sadness when any innocent life is lost. There is so much senseless dying, killing, fleeing of homes and fear in the world. What does all this lead to? What is the world we are creating for our future generations? Think about the millions of refugees fleeing the violence and oppression in Syria; making the trek on foot, by boat with barely the clothes on their back. Consider that the imbeciles who committed these atrocities are the same genre of human filth the refugees are fleeing in their own countries.

In the aftermath of these horrible atrocities, it is everyday Muslims around the world; particularly in the West that brace themselves for the aftermath. For the hate speech, instances of racism and inevitable discrimination that follow.

We should realize that all people around the world are ultimately the same. We all suffer from the weaknesses of the human character and benefit from all its strength. Whether it be different sects of a religion or rival gangs in a city, ignorance and fear plague human beings everywhere in the world. At the same time, altruism, love and empathy are also human characteristics and detectable in every culture and every nation. Which group do we want to include ourselves in?

GIZA, EGYPT - NOVEMBER 15: The Great Pyramid (C) is illuminated in the colours of the French flag in order to show solidarity after the Paris terror attacks of 13 November, in Giza, Egypt, on November 15, 2015. At least 129 people were killed and over 352 injured, 99 of which seriously, following a series of terrorist attacks in the French capital. (Photo by Stringer/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images)

The London Eye is illuminated in blue, white and red lights, resembling the colours of the French national flag, in central London on November 15, 2015, as Britons express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks in Paris on November 13 that left more than 120 people dead. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on November 13 that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / NIKLAS HALLE'N (Photo credit should read NIKLAS HALLE'N/AFP/Getty Images)

A picture taken in Dubai on November 15, 2015, shows Burj al-Khalifa, the world's tallest building, illuminated in the colours of the French national flag two days after deadly attacks in Paris. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed at least 129 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / KARIM SAHIB (Photo credit should read KARIM SAHIB/AFP/Getty Images)

DUBAI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES - NOVEMBER 15: The Burj Al Arab Hotel is illuminated in the colours of the French flag on November 15, 2015 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. At least 120 people have been killed and over 200 are injured in Paris following a series of terrorist acts in the French capital on Friday. (Photo by Warren Little/Getty Images)

The Friends arena in Solna near Stockholm is lit with national colours of France ahead the Euro 2016 play-off football match between Sweden and Denmark on November 14, 2015. AFP PHOTO / JONATHAN NACKSTRAND (Photo credit should read JONATHAN NACKSTRAND/AFP/Getty Images)

The Friends Arena in Solna, outside Stockholm, Swedne, is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. French President Francois Hollande said more than 120 people died Friday night in shootings at Paris cafes, suicide bombings near France's national stadium and a hostage-taking slaughter inside a concert hall. (Marcus Ericsson/TT via AP) SWEDEN OUT

The Ericsson Globe Arena in Stockholm is lit up in the colors of the French flag in solidarity with France after the deadly attacks in Paris, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2015. French President Francois Hollande said more than 120 people died Friday night in shootings at Paris cafes, suicide bombings near France's national stadium and a hostage-taking slaughter inside a concert hall. (Christine Olsson/TT via AP) SWEDEN OUT

The Palace Albania building is lit in the colors of the French flag on November 14, 2015 in central Belgrade following a series of coordinated attacks in and around Paris late on November 13 with 180 people injured, 80 of them seriously, police sources told. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / ANDREJ ISAKOVIC (Photo credit should read ANDREJ ISAKOVIC/AFP/Getty Images)

The White Tower, symbol of the city of Thessaloniki, is lit with the colors of the French national flag on November 14, 2015, a day after deadly attacks in Paris. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / Sakis Mitrolidis (Photo credit should read SAKIS MITROLIDIS/AFP/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: As the sun sets, Tower Bridge is lit up in a succession of blue, white and red representing the French flag on November 14, 2015 in London, England. The bridge is being lit in the wake of the Paris attacks, where many cities across the world are lighting their landmarks with the colors of France.. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: As the sun sets, Tower Bridge is lit up in a succession of blue, white and red representing the French flag on November 14, 2015 in London, England. The bridge is being lit in the wake of the Paris attacks, where many cities across the world are lighting their landmarks with the colors of France.. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

LONDON, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 14: As the sun sets, Tower Bridge is lit up in a succession of blue, white and red representing the French flag on November 14, 2015 in London, England. The bridge is being lit in the wake of the Paris attacks, where many cities across the world are lighting their landmarks with the colors of France.. (Photo by Chris Ratcliffe/Getty Images)

The One World Trade Center spire is lit blue, white and red after New York Gov. Andrew Cuomo announced the lighting in honor of dozens killed in the Paris attacks Friday, Nov. 13, 2015, in New York. French officials say several dozen people have been killed in shootings and explosions at a theater, restaurant and elsewhere in Paris. (AP Photo/Kevin Hagen)

The Oriental Pearl TV Tower (C), in the Lujiazui Financial District in Pudong, is lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in Shanghai on November 14, 2015, as the Chinese expressed their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left 128 dead and 180 injured in Paris late on November 13. The Oriental Pearl tower was bathed in the French flag colours for one hour.
AFP PHOTO / JOHANNES EISELE (Photo credit should read JOHANNES EISELE/AFP/Getty Images)

LAS VEGAS, NV - NOVEMBER 13: The High Roller at The LINQ Promenade on the Las Vegas Strip is lit up with the blue, white and red colors of the French flag in a show of solidarity with France on November 13, 2015 in Las Vegas, Nevada. At least 125 people were reported killed in shootings and explosions in a terrorist attack in Paris on Friday. (Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images)

TORONTO, ON - NOVEMBER 13 - The CN Tower lit up with the colours of the French Flag in support of France in the face of tragedy, on November 13, 2015 (Cole Burston/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

The iconic sails of the Sydney Opera House are lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in Sydney on November 14, 2015, as Australians express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left 128 dead and 180 injured in Paris late on November 13. Both the Opera House and the Sydney Town Hall were bathed in the French colours and New South Wales state Premier Mike Baird said he had also asked for a French flag to fly over the city's famous harbour bridge. AFP PHOTO / William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

People walk past the Sydney Town Hall as it is lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in Sydney on November 14, 2015, as Australians express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left 128 dead and 180 injured in Paris late on November 13. Both the Opera House and the Sydney Town Hall were bathed in the French colours and New South Wales state Premier Mike Baird said he had also asked for a French flag to fly over the city's famous harbour bridge. AFP PHOTO / William WEST (Photo credit should read WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images)

Manchester's Town Hall is illuminated in blue, white and red lights, resembling the colours of the French national flag, in Manchester, north west Enlgand on November 15, 2015, as Britons express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left over 120 dead in Paris on November 13. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on November 13 that killed at least 128 people in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO / OLI SCARFF (Photo credit should read OLI SCARFF/AFP/Getty Images)

SAN FRANCISCO, CA - NOVEMBER 15: The iconic pillars of San Francisco City Hall are lit in red, white and blue, resembling the colours of the French flag, in San Francisco on November 14, 2015, as Americans and Californians express their solidarity with France following a spate of coordinated attacks that left 128 dead and 180 injured in Paris late on November 13. A French flag also flies over the city's famous landmark outside the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium on November 15, 2015 in San Francisco, California. (Photo by C Flanigan/FilmMagic)

NEW YORK, NY - NOVEMBER 15: The New York Rangers and the Toronto Maple Leafs take part in a moment of silence to honor the victims of the attacks in Paris prior to the game on November 15, 2015 at Madison Square Garden in New York City. (Photo by Jared Silber/NHLI via Getty Images)

France square is seen illuminated in the colors of the French flag in Caracas, Venezuela on November 15, 2015, during a tribute to the victims of the deadly attacks of November 13 in Paris. Islamic State jihadists claimed a series of coordinated attacks by gunmen and suicide bombers in Paris on November 13 that killed at least 129 people and injured 352 in scenes of carnage at a concert hall, restaurants and the national stadium. AFP PHOTO/JUAN BARRETO (Photo credit should read JUAN BARRETO/AFP/Getty Images)